Enjoy Silent Nights with Our Sleep Apnea Treatment

When you settle in for your long winter’s naps in the month ahead, we hope you enjoy many silent nights while your dreams of sugarplums dance in your head.

We also know what can ruin that — loud, constant snoring.

That kind of snoring night after night could be a clue that someone you live with has sleep apnea. In Marietta, GA, you can visit us to find a solution. Sleep apnea treatment is just one of the many services that we offer at Atlanta West Dentistry.

Keep reading to learn more about this condition, or better yet, call 770-744-4619 to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors. Let us help you get the cozy, relaxing sleep you deserve.

Why Is It So Loud?

When someone has sleep apnea, they stop breathing dozens to hundreds of times every night. For people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the most common form of this condition, this is because their airway closes when they fall asleep.

As they drift off, their muscles relax, allowing soft tissues to sag toward their airway. As that airway gets narrower, the air that does get through vibrates those tissues, which is what causes the sound of the snoring. The narrower the opening, the louder the snoring.

This will continue until the airway close completely. When the person with OSA stops breathing, they also stop snoring — temporarily. Their body will wake them up briefly so they start breathing again and the cycle will repeat throughout the night.

Bigger Concerns

While snoring certainly is a problem, it’s not the biggest reason to be worried about untreated sleep apnea. This condition comes with an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

It also makes someone more than twice as likely to be involved in a car accident. The reason for that is that sleep apnea often leads to sleep deprivation. When someone is waking up frequently (even if they aren’t aware of it), they aren’t getting the deep sleep they need to feel rested and refreshed. They can lead to daytime sleepiness, which can be embarrassing on the couch and home but quite risky on the road.

How We Can Help

The key to treating sleep apnea is finding a way to keep the airways open. This will allow you or your loved one to continuing breathing, so you stay asleep.

We can do this by creating a special oral appliance that you or your loved wears while you sleep. This will move the jaw forward slightly, which helps to keep the airway open. That means getting the deep sleep you need — and less snoring, so other people sleep easier, too

Get the Rest You Need

Whether you have sleep apnea or someone else’s condition is keeping your awake, you deserve to sleep better. Our doctors at Atlanta West Dentistry want to help. To request a consultation at our Marietta, GA dental office, call 770-744-4619 or contact us online today!